Best Dictation Software Free

Dictation software is software that enables spoken communication with a computer, whether it’s hardware or part of a larger application. It’s not connected to input devices like keyboard, mouse, touchpad or touchscreen. Its main purpose is to convert voice into text.

Where to start with speech to text software free download? This article is a compilation of the most popular tools for converting speech into text. If you want to take advantage of these essential apps, make sure you follow the steps and install them all!

Window’s Speech Recognition (WSR):

Window’s Speech Recognition (WSR) is a good software for speech recognition, especially because it is specifically designed to work with Windows, and works best in its newest update with Windows 10. Most people reviewed it as good, not great, but also claimed that it is at par with Google Docs Voice Typing (GDVT) and is a Windows version of the same level.

The advantages specific to WSR are that it has computer automation and related features, because it is especially integrated into and designed for the Windows operating system, it has complete control over the computer and its features, like sleep or shutdown options, etc. In addition, it gives the user text editing options, whereby any mistakes can be there and then corrected.

Though, some downsides include the fact that it is not the most accurate voice recognition software available in the market, as its accuracy is on the weaker side, and it cannot be freely used with other operating systems is need be for a change.

Its unique selling point would be the fact that it can control the whole computer through the software options, and can edit as you go. It is also free of cost, without additional charges, and works fine with Windows 10.

Voice Notebook

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Voice Notebook is a full-featured speech-to-text app for Android. Its key features include a customizable list of auto-replaced words and punctuation, a voice-activated undo command, and the ability to import text files from file managers and Google Drive. The app also offers on-screen word and character counters for all your voice notes and dictations.

In-app purchases will unlock access to a power-saving mode, an always-on non-stop dictation option, and Bluetooth support for transferring files.

Download: Voice Notebook (Free, in-app purchases available)

Google Assistant

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Google Assistant deserves a mention in this category. Similar to Voice Text, it’s not a pure productivity app like the first three on the list; it fulfills a different niche.

The virtual assistant has many features you’ll find useful, including location-based reminders, the ability to control your smart home devices, and a podcast player. We’re more interested in the talk-to-text feature.

You can use Google Assistant to make verbal reminders, create lists with your voice, and even manage your diary. The Assistant also lets you use speech-to-text to add events to your calendar.

To take the app’s voice-based capabilities to the next level, you should pair it IFTTT. There are lots of great IFTTT recipes for Google Assistant to get started with.

If you’re not a fan of Google Assistant, you could try Microsoft’s Cortana instead. The app, which has been available on Android since 2017, also lets you take verbal notes.

Download: Google Assistant (Free)

Speech to Text

The simply named Speech to Text app is lightweight and easy to use.

Because Speech to Text supports continuous speech recognition, it’s an ideal solution for long notes, essays, reports, and other lengthy documents. There is no limit on the size of file you can create.

The app offers custom keyboards, auto-spacing, auto-saving, and a way to edit the on-screen text while you are still dictating another part of the transcript.

Download: Speech to Text (Free)

Temi

Temi is a tool used for speech to text transcription, and is a highly advanced version of speech recognition software. It works when you upload any kind of file, be it audio or video, and it transcribes it in under five minutes. Eventually, the files can be stored in MS Word or PDF formats that especially belong to Windows, and can even be emailed.

This transcription tool gives ease of use to its users, who are effortlessly able to adjust the sound, speed of playback, skip any part if need be, and add timestamps too.

However, the quality of the transcription depends on the sound quality of the uploaded file, and the better the sound quality, the more accurate the results. Additionally, if files are too large, it may take a lot of time to transcribe, and crosses the five minute set benchmark. It also has a little difficulty understanding multiple different accents.

A unique point of Temi is that it has been built by speech recognition experts who are also masters of machine learning. There is a little cost attached if there is need of the whole software, though, multiple shorter trial versions are available for free. Journalists, bloggers and podcasters or authors can best use this tool for their field of work.

Microsoft Bing Speech API

This Microsoft API is used for transcription purposes of the speech into text of any kind of audio streams that are fed to it. What this application does it, that it either displays whatever the transcribed text is, or it can follow and act upon the command given in the speech. It is best used in scenarios requiring conversion, dictation or an interactive participation, and gives great recognition results.

There are two important features to it: the REST APIs, where developers can use calls, HTTP format and use the service. Or else, there are Client Libraries also available for downloading, that belong to various platforms such as Windows, iOS, Android, etc. for any kind of integration.

It has great accuracy, is highly easy to use, and not very expensive, with a free trial version also available to check it before making a minimal purchase. One of its major advantages is that it supports multiple languages, for example, about 5 languages in conversation mode and 15 languages when it comes into dictation mode, so multilingual transcription is also possible.

Though, it gives the most accurate results when used in a continuous and real-time form, and may be slower in transcribing than other software.

Apple Dictation

Apple Dictation is one of the best free speech to text software that comes built-in with most Apple devices. It uses Siri’s servers to process up to 30 seconds of speech at a time (remember to connect to the internet). Apple Dictate is the ideal option for quickly getting your thoughts down on paper. Still, if you want to create content with longer for your voice and you’ve upgraded your Mac’s operating system to version 10.9 or later, then the better option would be Enhanced Dictation.

Furthermore, Apple Dictate helps you transcribe speech to text without an internet connection and is especially handy when faced with time constraints. With more than 70 voice commands, you can effectively control all your Mac’s actions, including typing, editing, and formatting for any document.

Compatibility: Mac

Price: Free

Get it from the Mac device’s Apple Menu by going to System Preferences, then click on keyboard and then go to dictation.

Voice Texting Pro

Voice Texting Pro is a professional app built by Sparking Apps with a 4+ rating App Store. It requires iOS version 5.1.1 or later since that app works best on the iPhone 5. Furthermore, much like most Apple software, the app prioritises the User Interface (UI) above all else, so it is effortless to use. All of its features are available from a single screen, and there are many in-app purchases available, including voice texting and adding languages.

Compatibility: Mac/iOS devices

Price: Free

Get it from the Apple App Store or https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voice-texting-pro/id542300792

Voice Notes

Speechnotes is geared towards lengthy dictations, such as lectures or essays. Voice Notes takes the opposite approach—it specializes in taking quick notes on-the-fly.

The app offers two main ways of recording your notes. You can either use the speech-to-text feature to see a transcribed version of your notes on the screen, or you can save the audio file and listen to it later.

Additionally, Voice Notes has a reminder feature. This lets you set a time for the nudge, along with the type of alert you want to receive. You can even create recurring reminders.

Finally, the app offers powerful organizational tools. They include customizable categories, colored tags, and the ability to import and export your notes.

Download: Voice Notes (Free, in-app purchases available)

SpeechTexter

SpeechTexter is a speech-to-text Android app that works both online and offline. The app uses Google’s database, so if you want to use the offline mode, you’ll need to download the necessary language packs.

You can do so by heading to Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard. Once there, tap on Google voice typing and select Offline speech recognition. To choose the languages to download, tap the All tab and select the language you want.

In addition to basic dictation and speech-to-text, you can use SpeechTexter to create SMS messages, emails, and tweets. The app also boasts a custom dictionary; adding personal information such as phone numbers and addresses is easy.

Download: SpeechTexter (Free)

OneNote

You might not immediately think of Microsoft’s note-taking app as a dictation tool, but it’s great for people who want to keep verbal notes and aren’t interested in the speech-to-text side.

OneNote even comes with a special microphone widget that you can add to your home screen. To use the dictation widget, long-press any empty space on your home screen and go to Widgets > OneNote > OneNote Audio Note.

Of course, Evernote offers similar functionality. However, since mid-2016, many of Evernote’s best features require a subscription. OneNote is free for all users.

Download: OneNote (Free)

Conclusion

Every person on the planet can type faster than they can talk. And that’s a problem if you’re a transcriptionist. Thankfully, there are many speech to text software options that have been created for transcribing interviews, dictations, and other audio files quickly – giving you more time to focus on other areas of your business.

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